Apr 20, 2024  
2010-2011 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2010-2011 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Quantitative Finance, M.S.


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Offered by the Department of Finance, the Master of Science in Quantitative Finance offers advanced instruction to students with a quantitative background. Students are provided with a strong conceptual understanding of financial theory and analytical techniques. An emphasis is placed on applying this foundation to analyze and develop analytical and quantitative solutions to contemporary financial problems.

Objectives of the Master of Science Programs


The Master of Science programs are designed for students seeking to specialize in a selected business area by acquiring an in-depth conceptual understanding as well as the skills to analyze problems and develop appropriate solutions.


Admission Criteria (M.S.)


Applicants for admission to the M.S. programs majoring in either accounting or taxation must hold a baccalaureate degree in accounting or the equivalent from an accredited institution. Applicants for admission to the M.S. programs in finance, human resources management, information technology, marketing, marketing research and quantitative finance must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. NOTE: Previous course work is evaluated by the Graduate Programs Office of the Zarb School of Business upon a student’s admission. Students who have not taken the necessary prerequisite courses will be required to do so.

Applicants for admission are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), which is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Applicants are encouraged to take the GMAT well in advance of applying to a graduate program. To schedule an appointment to take the GMAT, applicants may call 1-800-462-8669 or visit the GMAC Web site at
www.mba.com.

Applicants for the M.S. in Taxation program may substitute the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) if they are currently enrolled in the Hofstra Law School or have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school.

All applications for admission are considered on the basis of their own merits, with weight given to the strength of a student’s previous academic performance, scores obtained on the GMAT, professional experiences indicating increasing levels of responsibility, and any other pertinent information which the candidate for admission may provide to the Committee on Admissions.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 33 s.h.


  • See Residency Workshops

Residency Workshops (Zarb School of Business)


These workshops cover library information resources, teamwork and oral communication skills, calculus for business applications, information technology, and statistics for business applications respectively. Full-time students must complete them during the first semester in which they begin an M.S. program.  Part-time students must complete them within the first two semesters. Documentation of completion must be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office in order for students to register for the subsequent semester. The calculus for business applications, information technology, and statistics for business applications workshops may be satisfied through previous equivalent undergraduate or graduate course work taken within a specific time frame with a B or better grade at an accredited college or university or through satisfactory performance on a proficiency examination administered by the appropriate department within the Zarb School of Business. Students will receive with their letter of admission information about which residency requirements, if any, have been met through prior course work.
The following workshops are required of all students:
MBA 201W - Library Information Resources  (No credit)

The library information resources workshop ensures that all graduate students establish in their first semester the ability to fully utilize the extensive information, data, and other resources available through the University’s Axinn Library. Since the library’s resources and services are constantly expanding, the information resources workshop is continually updated to reflect the most contemporary and efficient utilization of these resources to enable students to solve business problems and to perform sophisticated business research. This workshop offers extensive coverage of the library’s Lexicat system, access services, reference services, media services, curriculum materials center, government documents and other resources. A fee equivalent to .5 s.h. is charged for this workshop.

MBA 205W - Teamwork and Oral Communication Skills  (No credit)

This workshop is intended to improve teamwork and oral communication skills. The students develop knowledge and skills related to working in groups; in addition, they learn the basics of how to make oral presentations in a business setting. Available literature on these skills is used to make students aware of the different aspects and nuances required to effectively work in teams and for oral communication. Additional activities are conducted as part of the workshops where the students test their skills on these two aspects. A fee equivalent to .7 s.h. is charged for this workshop.


The following workshops may be required depending upon previous academic preparation:
MBA 202W - Information Technology  (No credit)

This workshop presents an introduction to the use of computer hardware, software, and connectivity in a business environment. Software including spreadsheet modeling, database management, groupware, and Internet tools is covered. Students gain an understanding of computer capabilities and limitations, and the appropriate use of information technology in domestic and global environments. A fee equivalent to .7 s.h. is charged for this workshop.

MBA 203W - Calculus for Business Applications  (No credit)

This workshop focuses on a basic overview of calculus required for a better understanding of certain aspects of the business curriculum. Topics include functions, analytic geometry of the plane, differentiation, and integration as applied to business decision making. (Students enrolled in the M.S. programs in accounting, taxation and marketing are not required to take this workshop.) A fee equivalent to 1.2 s.h. is charged for this workshop.

MBA 204W - Statistics for Business Applications  (No credit)

This workshop focuses on a basic overview of statistics required for a better understanding of certain aspects of the business curriculum. Topics covered include descriptive statistics, basic probability rules, discrete probability distributions, continuous probability distributions, sampling distributions for the mean, estimation and hypothesis testing for the mean. A fee equivalent to 1.2 s.h. is charged for this workshop.

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